Power converter

1. A power converter for use in a host vehicle, the power converter comprising:

a DC link;

a DC link capacitor; and

a pre-charge circuit configured to charge the DC link capacitor,

wherein the pre-charge circuit comprises a boost converter comprising a switch and inductor coupling terminals configured to couple to an inductive component external to the power converter, and

wherein the DC link is configured to receive a voltage from a first voltage source external to the power converter and the switch is operative to couple the inductive component to, and to decouple the inductive component from, a second, direct current, voltage source to provide a charging current to charge the DC link capacitor.

2. The power converter according to claim 1 , wherein the inductive component comprises an inductive component of the host vehicle.

3. The power converter according to claim 1 , wherein the inductive component comprises an inductive component of a climate control unit coupled to the host vehicle.

4. The power converter according to claim 2 , wherein the inductive component comprises a motor and/or generator.

5. The power converter according to claim 4 , wherein the inductive component comprises a stator winding of the motor or generator.

6. The power converter according to claim 4 , wherein the host vehicle or the climate control unit comprises a converter for providing a supply voltage to the motor, and wherein the switch is provided by a switch of the converter.

7. The power converter according to claim 1 , wherein the power converter comprises a voltage source converter.

8. The power converter according to claim 1 , wherein the power converter comprises a voltage source converter or a voltage source inverter with an implicit diode rectifier.

9. The power converter according to claim 8 , wherein the power converter comprises a two-level converter, a three-level converter or a modular multi-level converter.

10. The power converter according to claim 1 , wherein the power converter is operable to convert from AC to DC and/or from DC to AC.

11. The power converter according to claim 10 , wherein the power converter is operable in a second mode to convert between an input DC voltage at a first magnitude and an output DC voltage at a second magnitude.

12. The power converter according to claim 11 , wherein the power converter is operable as a boost converter, a buck converter or a buck-boost converter.

13. An electrical power distribution system for a host vehicle comprising a power converter, the power converter including:

a DC link;

a DC link capacitor; and

a pre-charge circuit configured to charge the DC link capacitor,

wherein the pre-charge circuit comprises a boost converter comprising a switch and inductor coupling terminals configured to couple to an inductive component external to the power converter, and

wherein the DC link is configured to receive a voltage from a first voltage source external to the power converter and the switch is operative to couple the inductive component to, and to decouple the inductive component from, a second, direct current, voltage source to provide a charging current to charge the DC link capacitor.

14. A vehicle comprising an electrical power distribution system, the electrical distribution system including a power converter that includes:

a DC link;

a DC link capacitor; and

a pre-charge circuit configured to charge the DC link capacitor,

wherein the pre-charge circuit comprises a boost converter comprising a switch and inductor coupling terminals configured to couple to an inductive component external to the power converter, and

wherein the DC link is configured to receive a voltage from a first voltage source external to the power converter and the switch is operative to couple the inductive component to, and to decouple the inductive component from, a second, direct current, voltage source to provide a charging current to charge the DC link capacitor.